About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers competitive pay commensurate with education and experience.  New hires are typically brought into the organization between $26.00-$32.00/hour, based on experience and education.  We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service

•  457B Retirement Plan

• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year

• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

Solid Collection Operators also averages about 12 days of overtime each year, providing opportunities for increased earnings.

Location & Schedule

In this position you can expect to work a four-day, 10-hour work schedule (4-10s), with regular opportunities for overtime averaging approximately 12 days per year. This position is based out of the Central Platte Campus and includes field work throughout the City and County of Denver.

Who We Are & What You’ll Do

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), through its employees, enhances the quality of life in Denver by efficiently delivering effective, high quality, safe and equitable public infrastructure, and services. For more information, please visit the DOTI website.
DOTI’s Commitment to Equity:

• DOTI is committed to providing attention and resources to the areas, assets, and people of the city with the greatest need through equitable contracting, equitable investments, and equitable workforce development.

• DOTI’s culture revolves around four key principles: (1) Invest in Our People, (2) Operate with Discipline, (3) Use Data to Drive Decisions, and (4) Deliver Results.

Solid Waste Management provides essential trash collection, hazardous waste removal, recycling, and composting services to single-family homes, multi-family dwellings with up to seven units, and municipal facilities.

We are seeking qualified Waste Service Operator I’s to join our team and help deliver these critical services to the Denver community. This position may be assigned to either the LIP or Tipper Crew and will perform collection duties based on their assigned crew and operational needs.

Job duties include: 

• Safely operates a solid waste collection truck (rear loader, roll off, and/or other miscellaneous equipment) to collect waste, recycle, or compost material along a designated route and transfer it to a disposal site. Collection sites may include areas of high traffic, congested roadways, driveways, alleyways, and lots

• Loads/unloads waste and/or recycling materials at landfills, recycling centers, or similar facilities. May collect dead animals or bulky items as a special assignment

• Reads and interprets route maps to plan out collection routes efficiently. Interprets rules and regulations governing the nature of the material being collected and container suitability

• Utilize route management technology, tablets, and communication systems to document service completion and operational issues.

• Identifies unsatisfactory waste containers and tag containers in accordance with applicable departmental procedures

• Responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner and provides information within the area of assignment

• Completes daily pre/post trip inspection as defined by federal guidelines

• Assists in preventative maintenance of equipment by washing and servicing vehicles with water, oil, and fuel. 

• Prepares routine operating reports, such as material collected, miles driven, and fuel used

• Responsible for properly reporting uncollected refuse and the completion of collection

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What You’ll Bring

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics: 

• Experience driving and operating trash collection vehicles 

• Ability to get in and out of vehicles and equipment multiple times per day

• Ability to work in varying conditions (inclement weather, dust, fumes, etc.)

• Knowledge of the streets within the City and County of Denver

• Ability to read and follow route maps

• Ability to work overtime when needed

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education Requirement: Graduation from high school or the possession of a GED, HiSET or TASC Certificate.

• Experience Requirement:  Two (2) years of general labor experience which must include six (6) months of experience driving light to medium sized equipment.

• Education and Experience Equivalency: Additional appropriate experience may be substituted for the minimum education requirements.

• Licensure and/or Certification: This job requires driving.

• Requires a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL "B") with appropriate endorsements at the time of application.

• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

Other Important Details

• At the time of application, candidates are required to hold a valid CDL clear of any restrictions or under prohibited status in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse. This position requires a background check, physical, and drug test.

• Applicants for commercial driving positions must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Commercial drivers must be able to do the following in English:

  • Converse with the general public

  • Understand highway traffic signs and signals

  • Respond to official inquiries

  • Make entries on reports and records

Application Deadline

Applications for this position are accepted on a rolling basis. Please submit your application as soon as possible to ensure consideration

About Everything Else

Job Profile

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Position Salary Range

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Agency

Assessment Requirement

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. 

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact [email protected] with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.